Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Currently Thursday does not appear to have a regular setter, although since Autumn 2010 Ray T features frequently. During 2009 almost all of the Thursday puzzles were set by Jay.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Beam’s back to tickle us with (most of) his usual tricks. There is, of course, a “sweetheart”, a smidgeon of light cheek and a riot of double definitions. Nowt obscure and all very jolly. Over to you.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31059
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
A perfect Thursday puzzle, in my opinion. Just enough head scratching required to make it a satisfying and most enjoyable solve. Having said that, I got off to a very poor start by biffing “hairgrip” for 1a. Yes, I know it doesn’t make any sense, but I thought I would make the solve a bit more challenging by making a complete Horlicks of the first clue.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.
Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
A surprisingly gentle Thursday Toughie from Kcit, though 16d’s GK certainly had me Googling. Always grand to learn summat new. All yours.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31053
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
RayT at his most benign, adding fuel to the fire of those who think that the DT may have abandoned their policy of starting the week gently and gradually increasing the level of difficulty as the week goes by.
No doubt as to our setter today, with the Queen and sweetheart making appearances and the words per clue standing at a fraction over five. From the Quickie Pun, we now also know that Ray hails from somewhere north of Watford Gap.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.
Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ***/****
It’s always a treat to see Django’s byline. And I was delighted to see a flash of his old wordiness crop up in 8d. My clue of the day and yet more proof that – as long as the surface merits it – length is not our enemy! All yours.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31047
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
I really enjoyed this delightful puzzle, which induced plenty of smiles and a couple of laughs along the way. My ticks are for 18a, 21a, 25a, 4d, 13d and 17d. I would be interested to hear what you think, dear reader.
21a is particularly apposite for me. In 2019, our son set up a laser tattoo removal business in St Albans, which I am pleased to say is going really well. I desperately tried to persuade him to adopt a pig as his logo. Once you have solved 21a, you might understand why! He rightly argued that not everyone has a warped crossword brain like mine. Good point, well made.
Must dash – I’m now off to help at a charity golf day at Knebworth GC in support of Wooden Spoon – a rugby based charity supporting disadvantaged children. If there are mistakes in the blog, I can only apologise.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.
Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ****
Perhaps slightly trickier than usual from Dharma today, with some imaginative synonyms (10a’s “spot”, 11a’s “accept” and 25a’s “band”, etc) and a couple of extended definitions (11a’s “not much to write home about” and 8d’s “yet to be developed”). All typically smart, of course. Over to you. Continue reading “Toughie 3555”
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
A fun romp from Beam today, with his usual brevity, wit and imaginative synonyms – plus, of course, royalty and “sweetheart”.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31035
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
A lovely challenging puzzle which I found to be tricky in parts. However, if you follow the setter’s instructions carefully, every clue does exactly what it says on the tin. Several reversals and letter selections/deletions, but all presented within the smoothest of surface reads. A setter at the very top of his game.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.
Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
Gently chucklesome, yet whip-smart – a whisper of ©Light GK (2d, etc), some sly indicators (e.g.… Continue reading